Cal Poly Maritime Academy
Cal Poly Maritime Academy — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Cal Poly Maritime Academy at a Glance
The California Polytechnic State University Maritime Academy is a satellite campus of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, located in Vallejo, California, that operates as a maritime academy. Founded in 1929, it was a separate public university in the California State University system until it was absorbed on July 1, 2025.
1901
125 years old
$19M
$19.16 million (2024)
804
2,023 undergrad · 11 grad
9,178 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Cal Poly Maritime Academy
Official admissions page$70
Fee waiver available
Fee waiver
Is Cal Poly Maritime Academy Worth It?
Cal Poly Maritime Academy delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $20,555/year, it's priced 1% above average, while graduates go on to earn $94,784 — 76% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 63% graduation rate means roughly 37% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 95% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: Cal Poly Maritime Academy delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Cal Poly Maritime Academy compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #4 of 18 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus | 95 | $10,875 | $73,997 |
| #2 | University of New Hampshire at Manchester | 93 | $9,992 | $66,479 |
| #3 | University of Connecticut-Avery Point | 79 | $13,807 | $73,997 |
| #4 | Cal Poly Maritime Academy | 73 | $20,555 | $94,784 |
| #5 | University of Pittsburgh-Bradford | 49 | $15,350 | $66,125 |
| #6 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly | 39 | $14,596 | $63,435 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Cal Poly Maritime Academy's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Cal Poly Maritime Academy
The highest-earning program at Cal Poly Maritime Academy is Marine Transportation at $90,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Mechanical Engineering at $77,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Marine Transportation graduate from Cal Poly Maritime Academy earns $90,700, while a Mechanical Engineering graduate earns $77,600. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Marine Transportation graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $26,181 for Mechanical Engineering.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,555/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Transportation | $90,700 | $90,700 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $77,600 | $77,600 | $26,181 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Vallejo, CA
- Student Body
- 804 students
- Admission Rate
- 95%
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,555
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $94,784
- Median Student Debt
- $24,965